Location: Peanut and Small Grains Research Unit
Project Number: 3070-22000-017-012-S
Project Type: Non-Assistance Cooperative Agreement
Start Date: Sep 15, 2016
End Date: Sep 14, 2022
Objective:
Accomplish longitudinal economic evaluation of the sugarcane aphid AWPM program.
Approach:
We will recruit a statistically appropriate number of growers from program participants and non-participants in each sorghum growing area. Progress will be defined by several methods, three of which may be: 1) the amount of insecticide applied for sugarcane aphid (SCA) control in each demonstration area for non-participants and AWPM participants within and among years; 2) the ecological effect on level of biocontrol services will be measured in sorghum fields of non-participants and AWPM participants; and 3) economic evaluation of sorghum production among non-participants and AWPM participants. Comparison of SCA, other pest, biocontrol and economic response variables between the two groups would rely on the paired nature of the groups. Each grower will be considered an experimental unit and hypotheses will be tested statistically. As an example, a useful comparison can be made for net income obtained from sorghum, after net income for each farm in a particular year is adjusted by that farm's total sorghum acreage. This will be assessed both within years and over time. Tools for assessing these questions will include direct measurements, interviews, and web-based surveys, including surveys launched within the myFields.info system. Survey methodology will be based on face-to-face interviews will incorporate the Krueger and Casey approach to qualitative research. Evaluation strategies will include methods that draw on both qualitative and quantitative methodologies.
